Peace and Conflict Studies

Peace Studies is a multi-disciplinary approach to studying the alternatives to violence and conflict from interpersonal to international settings. The goal of Peace Studies is to focus on issues of global concerns such as war, roots of violence, social movements, and nonviolent alternatives in a mindset that looks beyond the nation-state system. A related field, Conflict Analysis and Resolution, has grown from the search for alternatives to violent solutions to interpersonal, group, and international conflict. The minor brings together the strength of the academic and nonstate orientation of Peace Studies and the applied orientation of Conflict Resolution.

Students in the minor study the foundations of the field through three required courses. As an interdisciplinary minor, students are encouraged to select additional courses from the approved list, based on what best extends their own interests or major area of study. A minor in Peace and Conflict Studies prepares students widely for employment in the nonprofit sector, human services, international service, or mediation centers in communities or state programs. It also serves as preparation for graduate school in the humanities and social sciences, or law school.

Required Courses

ECO 315 Comparative Economic and Political Systems PCS 101 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies SOC 234 Conflict Resolution In addition, in consultation with their major advisor and the coordinator of the Peace and Conflict Studies minor, the student will select three additional courses from the following list: ECO 362 Problems of Developing Countries ENV 201 Introduction to Environmental Science or ENV 204 Environmental Policy HIS 219 Americain the 50s and 60s IS 203 Culture of Southeast Europe IS 205 Culture and Politics of the Middle East IS 206 Comparative Contemporary Cultures PS 221/321 Women in Global Perspective PS 310 Law and Social Change:Women and Minorities RLS 207 Private Values and Public Policy SOC 240/340 Social Movements SOC 310 Environmental Sustainable Communities

WS 222 Introduction to Feminist Studies Students may also petition the program coordinator to have relevant topics courses at the 200 or 300 levels counted toward the minor.

Coordinator

Abdolreza Banan, Ph.D., Professor of Economics and International Relations